October 9, 2009 to ..... January 2010 We are spending 3 months in Panama; neither one of us has been to Central America before. The people speak Spanish and I'm trying to get us by but seem to be using more sign language than anything else! We're here in the rainy season and it's very humid, but we're getting used to it. We rented a lovely apartment in the Punta Paitilla district. We're on the 17th floor with a lovely view of Panama Bay and the Pacific Ocean. We can see the big cargo ships gliding slowly past on the way [View Full Entry]

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Palau & Micronesia (Yap & Chuuk): 1 March 2009 - 31 March 2009 This last part of our South East Asia trip was a last minute decision. We had never even heard of Palau & Micronesia until we ran into some travellers who had been there and raved about the diving. Micronesia & Palau are located in the western Pacific Ocean, with the Philippines and Indonesia just to the west. Palau is famous in the diving world for its shark populations (130 species). In Micronesia, the island of Yap is famous for its manta rays and the island of Chuuk for [View Full Entry]

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Bangkok, Koh Chang (both islands), Koh Phi Phi, Khao Sok National Park, Koh Taratuo, Koh Lipe: 5 February to 28 February After Burma we headed to Thailand and found it quite a contrast - so many more tourists. At first Bangkok was quite an adjustment (especially Khao San Road, heart of the backpacking district). But we were glad to finally make it to our main destination after all these months, the country we'd first talked about visiting so many years ago now. Highlights - Peaceful little Koh Chang Island where we relaxed for a few days. - Diving in the Similan [View Full Entry]

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Burma (otherwise known as Myanmar or "The Golden Land") - 8 January to 4 February Burma was the most culturally unique country we visited in South East Asia and it made the biggest impression on us. We didn’t know much about the Burmese way of life before we got there but by the time we left we were well educated about the human rights abuses committed by their military regime. It became the most difficult part of our travels as we heard of all the troubles the people endure. Most Burmese are Buddhist and while they have in the past protested [View Full Entry]

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30 November - 28 December Cambodia was an amazing but difficult country to visit - great poverty amid a booming tourism industry; learning of the horrors inflicted on the people under the Khmer Rouge regime (the cause of 2-3 million deaths, 20% of the population, between 1975-79); the present government and police's widespread corruption, landmine casualties. So many people and children begging for a dollar - but there is incredible beauty too, and the resilient and friendly people made our visit unforgettable. We visited Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Battambang, Pursat, Kempot, Siha [View Full Entry]

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Wednesday 12 November - 29 November Steve’s parents joined us for Vietnam, where we all had an exciting time dodging the tourist scams (mostly successful) and watching the beautiful scenery from buses and trains along the coast from North to South. We visited Hanoi, Halong, Hue, Danang, Dalat, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh (formerly known as Saigon). Highlights Dodging the crazy motorcycle traffic all over Hanoi (does anyone ever walk around here?) Hanoi's famous water puppet theatre - the centuries-old art of storytelling with puppets and traditional Vietname [View Full Entry]

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Monday 3 November - Tuesday 11 November Hong Kong seemed so organised after the other Asian countries we'd visited - the gleaming skyscrapers and extremely reliable train service were initially a shock to the system. Our visit was a quick one - to buy a much-needed new laptop for Steve (and spend 5 days setting it up), and to visit our friend Vicky from South Africa and her Scottish partner Paul. Highlights Dinner, cocktails and nights out with Vicky and Paul and his mom. The tram ride to The Peak - view over Hong Kong’s nightscape and city lights. [li [View Full Entry]

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Monday 22 September to Sunday 2 November Phillipines and its islands (7,107!) has been a real highlight of our trip to South East Asia so far and we strongly recommend it to everyone. We found stunning beaches, coral reefs teeming with fish, waterfalls, few tourists and friendly locals. We spent most of our time on Palawan Island (Puerto Princesa, Sabang, Port Barton, El Nido, Coron) and also visited Manila and the rice terraces and villages of North Luzon (Sagada, Tinglayan and Batad). Highlights The karaoke-mad and friendly Philippinos, who break out into (mo [View Full Entry]

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Tuesday 2 September to Sunday 21 September Our big challenge was climbing Mount Kinabalu (8 km climb, 4,000m high) - a 14 hour demanding climb (up and down), part of it in the middle of the night in the dark. The last 3 kms up ropes. Fought the fear and made it up in time for sunrise. Breath-taking scenery and amazing sense of achievement. Took 2 days to recover. Highlights Climbing Mount Kinabalu (highest mountain in South East Asia). Soaking our weary limbs at Poring Hot Springs. Finding the world’s largest flower, the Raffelesia, in [View Full Entry]

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Tuesday 26 August - Monday 1 September Brunei is a very small country rich from its oil/gas resources (but which are running out), which provides free healthcare & education and no taxes for its people. Everyone loves their Sultan (they kept telling us!) who seems to take an active interest in his people, too. He lives in a huge ½ km by ¼ km palace. Highlights Signs in English & good internet everywhere. Beautiful golden & mosaic mosques. Water villages - houses, schools & mosques on stilts. Mangrove & proboscis monkey tour. Forest trip - [View Full Entry]

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